Saints sinner Jones sorry for setting dwarf on fire

St Kilda's Clinton Jones has apologised for an incident that resulted in a dwarf entertainer's clothes being set on fire at a Mad Monday celebration that went wrong. Jones has donated $3000 to the Kids with Cancer Foundation Australia and the victim, Blake Johnston, has accepted the apology.

St Kilda had been investigating the incident that had sounded like a sick joke before it was confirmed on Monday night.

Jones said: ''I sincerely apologise to Mr Johnston and have done so personally today. As a playing group we were engaged in end-of-season activities which in hindsight were quite childish. I made an error of judgment in including Mr Johnston in the activity.

''I am embarrassed if this has caused angst and certainly had no intention to cause any harm to anyone, including the St Kilda Football Club and its members''.

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Johnston has apparently decided not to take legal action over the incident. ''I have made the decision not to purse any charges or action against the club or the player involved,'' Channel Nine quoted him as saying.

Demetriou apologised for getting caught in a laughing fit when told of the incident during Channel Seven's Talking Footy. Demetriou, speaking on 3AW radio, said he would personally contact Johnston to apologise for his response.

Dwarf dispute: Blake Johnston (right) would be no stranger to AFL hijinks, having previously spent time with Warwick Capper. Photo: Supplied

The AFL boss said he thought the story was a joke, and only realised it was genuine when he realised media outlets were running with it online late Monday. ''After I found out that it was true, it's just reprehensible,'' Demetriou said. ''I was flabbergasted because in the scheme of things, that was one thing I could have never predicted we would deal with.

''It was not meant to be offensive and I apologise to anyone who is offended.